Think Tanks: Funding
Debate between Baroness Falkner of Margravine and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent(2 weeks, 4 days ago)
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Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I am not sure there was a question in there, but I will take the opportunity to reassure your Lordships that, just as CC9 guidance for the Charity Commission applies to every charity, regardless of their charitable objectives, and just as the electoral law applies to every third-party campaigner, the issue is making sure that people who actively participate in our elections are duly registered as third-party campaigners.
Baroness Falkner of Margravine (CB)
My Lords, on transparency, is the Minister aware of the Fundraising Regulator’s concerns about the registration of very small community interest companies at Companies House? They prefer that route of registration in order to avoid Charity Commission oversight and evade all accountability in terms of fundraising. I understand that the Government are in talks with the Fundraising Regulator and others to improve that situation. Can she tell the House when those talks might come to an end?
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I thank the noble Baroness for her question. I am afraid I am not in a position to update her on the timescale or the development of those talks, but I will make sure that she gets an answer.
Higher Education Regulatory Approach
Debate between Baroness Falkner of Margravine and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent(1 year, 1 month ago)
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Baroness Falkner of Margravine (CB)
My Lords, I declare an interest as chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which is the national human rights institution for Great Britain. Another interest is that we are an intervener on the proposed judicial review. It would not be wise for me to say much on the details of this Statement, but I put on record two things for the House. First, the Minister will know that the public sector equality duty is a fundamental part of the proposed litigation in this area, as well as the Government having a responsibility to have due regard to it. We are the regulator in that regard. I wrote to the Minister on 6 December, seeking an urgent meeting. The Statement says that a wide range of providers were consulted, but we were not, which is why I wrote to her. I also put on record—
Baroness Falkner of Margravine (CB)
Forgive me; I will address a point directly to the Minister. I am grateful that we are meeting next week, but we should have been consulted as part of that consultation. I say to the Government Whip that the clerks upstairs have told me that I need to declare these cumbersome interests every time I speak. I do not think it would be fair to the House for me not to declare them and make my points.
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I appreciate those clarifications, but I remind your Lordships’ House that this is questions on a Statement, not additional statements.